The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1887-03-18
Tht 9eitOtrat.
washington.
CFrom our regular correspondent,
WAsurroros, Feb. 26th, 1ss7.

But Ave more working days re-
main to Congress, unless that body
decide TO work on Sunday, as Con-
crosses have often done before. This
Congress will probably however work
over nights during the short remaln-
ing term OF lts life, and this way par.
TALLY make up lost time and neglect
ed legislation. II has boen the GUS
tom OF former Presidents 10 spend
the last few hours Of a congressional
term at the Capitol, In order TO sign
the bills that Coiigress may hurry1
through 10 Its last moments. Blu
President Cleveland Il Is said will
not sign bills until he has had time
for their critical examination. Con-
gress has been unofiicIally advised OF
ihis'fact and II ls quite probable that
some half cooked measures may fall
for lack Of the Presidential signature.
Statesmen OF both House and Sep
ato have been too busy during the
past week 10 give much attention 10
the question about an extra session,
but II Is not improbable that one will
be called. There are pressing ques-
lions that cannot well be put aside
until the regular meeting OF the fif-
tielh Congress.
II Is beginning TO be very general
~ conceded that tho Congressional
session ending at noon ON tho fourth
OF March Is ali toe short for the In
terests OF the country. Il might have
done for 1887, when the entire coun-
try had a population inferior TO that
Of the State OF New York and not one
tenth Of its wealth. But we have
grown apace In the last hundred
years-grown Ia almost everything
but the industry Of CongFessmen.
They stlll retain their stage coach
habits and traditions. Something
must DO done to get out OF this. The
prolongation Of the session VIII DO
ooly partial remedy and, since
day cannot be stretched over twenty.
four hours, and siucc Congressional
daily 50 sslon Is only about five hours
per day, interrupted by frequent adj
Journment. endless roll calls, fillbus-
tering and long, drawllug speeches,
II can be seen hcw all too little time
Is left for deliberate, intelligent ac-
tIon on national questions. Here on
the very eve Of the adjournment OF
Congress important bills such as the
Legislative, Naval, sundry, Civil,
Deficiency, FortiHcations, Military
Academy, Post Once, District OF
Columbia, and Indian bills have not
yet been placed before the President
for his signature.
BY vote Of 81 to Is the Senate
decided that 1t would be wise 10 de-
tach the Weather Bureau from the
Army and place I, under the propos-
cd new Department OF Agriculture
and Labor. The decision was taken
by adopting the proposition as an
amendment 10 the bill 10 raise the
present Agricultural Department to
the dignity OF an Executive Depart
ment. After this had been done the
bill was passed without resort 10 q
roll call. The measure having al
ready passed the House will now go
10 conference COMMITTEES OF men,
bers OF zach branch. II Is not GER
tain that the conference will retain
the amendment, but lt Is generally
believed that the Weather Bureau
will be taken from the War Depart
ment by some method, II not In the
way suggested by the Senate.
During the debate on the bill Mr..
Miller stated that there were many
and serious difficulties In the way Of
a transfer Of the Weather Bureau,
because OF the fact among others, that
those now engaged ~ that branch are
enlisted men and officers Of the army
and all the supplies, instruments and
other material Of the bureau are the
property OF thesarmy. It the confer
ence committee can prepare an
amendment that will reduce these
troublesome difficulties to q minimum
or wipe them out oil together, the
proposition will probably receive q
good many more votes than the 81
cast for 1t already. AS for the special
object OF the bill, which Is to make
the commissioner of Agriculture a
cabinet officer, that has now been
agreed 10 by both houses, and Con.
gress will hardly let Il be killed be-
cause of any failure to agree about
the transfer of the Weather Bureau.
Unless the President sees fit to OBJ
ject to the measure, he will have an
opportunity to add another to his
present list OF advisers.
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